MSI Claw A1M Intel Core Ultra 5 135H 512GB
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(In-game) image resolution | 1080p | |
|---|---|---|
Refresh rate | 120 Hz | |
Screen size | 7 inches | |
Screen type | IPS - LCD | |
Playable on TV | ||
Total storage capacity | 512 GB |
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The Claw is a handheld PC, specially developed for gaming. I tested the Claw from MSI for a week and my findings are as follows:
In addition to the Claw, the compact box contains an adapter with USB-C connection and a brief installation brochure. After switching on and updating, you can start immediately.
The Claw runs smoothly on Windows 11 thanks to the Intel processor. The game interface developed by MSI merges Steam and Xbox Game Pass into one library. Games run fine on low or medium graphics settings, but higher settings significantly reduce the frame rate.
The 7-inch 1080p screen with 120 Hz refresh is impressive. The joysticks and buttons are comfortable, but the battery life is only 90 minutes, which is a disadvantage for mobile gaming.
Paul H
17 July 2024
Automatically translated from Dutch
I have extensively tested this compact powerhouse over the past two weeks and here are my findings.
When unpacking the MSI Claw, the sleek design was immediately noticeable. It's very reminiscent of the ASUS ROG Ally, with the same joystick layout and M1 and M2 buttons on the back. The 7-inch screen with a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels offers clear images, although I sometimes noticed minor stuttering depending on the game.
Ergonomically, the Claw fits comfortably in the hand, even for people with smaller hands like me. The bulges on the back provide a comfortable grip, but the M1 and M2 buttons are sometimes a stumbling block because you can press them unintentionally. Fortunately, the buttons feel sturdy and the hall effect joysticks provide good control, similar to that of an Xbox controller. However, the d-pad feels a bit unclear, like with older Xbox 360 controllers.
With Windows 11 as the operating system, the Claw is versatile for both gaming and other tasks. The MSI Center provides handy shortcuts to platforms like Steam and Epic, and makes it easy to customize the Claw with RGB lighting. A big plus is the Thunderbolt 4 connection, which allows you to transform the Claw into a desktop computer with an external screen, keyboard and mouse.
A downside is the battery life; After about 1.5 to 2 hours of gaming, the Claw needs to be charged again. During intensive use, the device becomes quite warm, which is noticeable but not bothersome. The charger is quite large and the lack of a docking station is inconvenient.
Since Windows 11 is not optimized for controller use, MSI has developed its own 'launcher', the MSI Center M, which is similar to those of ASUS and Lenovo. It provides an easy-to-use interface to launch games and adjust settings such as RGB lighting and CPU power. The launcher starts automatically with Windows and can be quickly accessed using the buttons on the sides of the screen.
In summary, the MSI Claw offers an attractive combination of comfort, functionality and performance for gamers looking for a handheld PC. While the design isn't groundbreaking, it does offer reliability and usability. If you're looking for a portable gaming experience with Windows 11, the MSI Claw is definitely worth considering.
Voxox
16 July 2024
Automatically translated from Dutch
I was able to test the MSI Claw. Nice handheld with some flaws.
To start at the beginning, the handheld gaming console looks nice and feels good in the hand.
However, setting up did not go without a hitch. Where installing various games was easy. Connecting to the WiFi was really a drama. This was not possible via the MSI OS itself. After several error messages, of which I was sure that the WiFi WW was good, I tried it via Windows itself. That worked in one go.
Which brings me to the next point, the claw's touchscreen works fine. Maybe once in a while the screen didn't respond properly. Setting up the various functions via the MSI OS was easy. The RGB could be changed and the performance could be adjusted to your own preference. I chose performance over graphics. Which did benefit the handheld. When it came to graphics, the claw got really hot. And it plundered the battery to rock bottom within an hour. In terms of performance, the battery did a little better. But it only lasted 2.5 hours of gaming until the battery ran out. By the way, charging was done in no time. Just don't play games with the charger plugged in. Then the claw, in my case, became even hotter.
The gaming itself went well, the controls responded well except for a few glitches where the joysticks stopped responding and I had to reset the claw.
The games I played were Call Of Duty MW3 and Warzone. Fortnite, Minecraft and Roblox (for the Kids)
Call Of Duty is really not recommended to play on this. The claw really gets too hot and slow. The CPU and GPU really couldn't handle it. Graphically it didn't look good and it looked like I was playing on a PS3.
Fortnite, on the other hand, did a lot better. Well balanced in terms of performance and graphics. And it played fine until the battery died. In terms of connecting to Wi-Fi, it played surprisingly well unlike COD.
Minecraft and Roblox really played like a charm, as expected. The Kids loved it. Not surprising of course.
Finally, it's a nice handheld with some flaws. I did have the entry-level version, so perhaps the high-end Claw will do better.
RalphKl
29 July 2024
Automatically translated from Dutch
Product number | 945548 | |
|---|---|---|
Manufacturer code | 9S7-1T4111-028 | |
Brand | MSI | |
Warranty | 2 years | |
Processing of your defect | Via Coolblue |
Computer platform | MSI Claw | |
|---|---|---|
(In-game) image resolution | 1080p | |
recommended for Virtual reality | ||
Operating system | Windows 11 | |
Refresh rate | 120 Hz | |
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 5 | |
Cloud gaming | ||
Type of video card | Shared | |
Video card | Intel Arc Graphics | |
Battery/battery capacity | 18420 Ah | |
Maximum battery life | 2 hours |
Total storage capacity | 512 GB | |
|---|---|---|
Expandable memory | ||
Expandable storage capacity up to | 512 GB | |
Replace or add memory | Adding memory |
Built-in WiFi | ||
|---|---|---|
WiFi standards | Wireless A (WiFi 2), Wireless AC (WiFi 5), Wireless AX (WiFi 6), Wireless AXE (WiFi 6E), Wireless B (WiFi 1), Wireless BE (WiFi 7), Wireless G (WiFi 3), Wireless N (WiFi 4) | |
Bluetooth | ||
Bluetooth version | 5.4 | |
Playable on TV |
Included by default | Manual, Power cord, USB cable |
|---|
Color | Black | |
|---|---|---|
Weight | 675 g | |
Screen size | 7 inches | |
Screen type | IPS - LCD | |
Touchscreen | ||
Disc tray | ||
Detachable controllers |